What, No Peptides?!

I’ve been talking about Paula Begoun’s recent nine-page special report on cellulite treatments. In it she reviews – and pooh-poohs – 24 of 26 ingredients commonly used in cellulite creams. The only ones Paula believes may have any benefit are retinol and other exfoliants (AHAs and BHAs) which stimulate collagen production.



In addition, she cites Johnson & Johnson research (makers of Neutrogena and RoC) showing that the combination of retinol, caffeine and ruscogenine (butcher’s broom extract) work synergistically to reduce the appearance of cellulite.



Going through the list of 26 ingredients, I find several that would be in my ideal cellulite cream. I'm amazed that Paula doesn’t even mention cosmeceutical peptides.



My ideal cellulite cream would contain at least one peptide, preferably Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 (Tradenames Trylagen and Aldenine). Why? Not as a “cure” for cellulite, but as a cover-up. Cellulite is fat pockets bulging up through the network of connective tissue beneath the skin’s surface.



As skin ages, it thins due to collagen loss and a slowdown in production of new collagen. If collagen production can be revved up again, the thickening skin layer should act like spackle on top of the unattractive bumpy cellulite.



Learn about cosmeceutical peptides which stimulate collagen production here.



Tags: Cosmetics Cop Paula Begoun , cellulite, peptides